As I was reading over a few of our coworker's recent updates, I was struck by one common thread: There are so many new student involved with their fellowship this year! It's clear that there is an increased hunger, curiosity, and desire to know more about who God is and what it means to be a Christian. Here are a few snapshots at some of our campuses:
Penn State York held its largest Bible study ever this semester, with 35 students in attendance. This is such an incredible answer to prayer as we anticipated a smaller turn out with the announcement that the York branch campus would be closing in 2027. |
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At Kutztown University, they hosted lawn games throughout the first week of the semester where nearly 30 new students showed up each time. Everywhere you looked, student leaders were sharing the gospel with new students! At almost every event, not only did the student leaders faithfully invite people they had just met, but they consistently approached others to share the gospel. |
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Through the outreach efforts with a small-but-mighty team of 7 student leaders at Gettysburg College, we've gotten contact information for over 150 students who are eager to read the Bible and grow in their faith! This marks the highest interest among the student body we've seen in the past 5 years at this school. |
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At Bucknell University, our staff were exclaiming, “I don't know more than half of the people here?!” at their weekly large group meeting. While this is common for the first week, he was still noting more and more new faces well into the semester. |
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At Alvernia University, their weekly Bible study has typically averaged around 15–20 people. But this year, their very first Bible study had over 50 students! They’re not even sure where they’ll meet once the weather turns cold, since there isn’t a space on campus large enough to hold everyone |
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At Shippensburg University, they focused the first two weeks of the semester to all kinds of outreach events (like lawn games, glow in dark frisbee, and other gatherings) and evangelistic conversations. Through the boldness of staff and student leaders, they connected with more than 350 students who expressed interest in studying the Bible and learning about Christianity. |
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Men's Conference For the first time in over a decade, our staff held a Men's Conference. It was a one day retreat with teaching on God’s vision of true, biblical manhood, rejecting toxic distortions and aimlessness, and embracing Christlike leadership, responsibility, and strength. The men also enjoyed worship and testimonies from our staff. With this being a restart of an event, our registration was very informal and we simply had staff invite their students if they could come. They prayed for 50-75 student men to attend and by the time it began, there were about 200 men in attendance! |
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NEXT WEEKEND we will have over 530 students join us at our annual Fall Conference event in Harrisburg. Speaking of an excitement and hunger fo the Lord, this conference sold out in one week! That's the fastest we've ever seen for this huge event! |
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This year, the main session teaching will be on Acts 9, Paul's transformation. Our teachers will show how God's grace is overpowering, surprising, propelling, and multiplying. There will also be many breakout sessions on relevant topics to our students today.
Here's how you can be praying for this event this week:
Monday: Teachers Pray for all our teachers throughout the weekend - whether teaching during a main session, breakout session, or small group leader Pray that they would rightly and winsomely preach the Scriptures. Pray against any attack from Satan or temptations towards pride in their own abilities. Pray that the Spirit would speak through them.
Tuesday: Prepared Heart & Salvations Pray that the Lord would start softening students' hearts now to hear the gospel teaching. Pray for a hunger among the students to feast on God's word. Pray that those who are not yet Christians would confess Jesus as Lord this weekend. Pray that Fall Conference would be the start of many students' testimonies.
Wednesday: Campus Fellowship Pray for deepened community within each campus fellowship. Pray for the student leaders to grow in boldness and maturity as they learn to shepherd their fellow students well. Pray for any newcomers or fringe students to be fully enveloped by the community. Pray for cross campus connections to be made such that students have a vision for the larger Christian community.
Thursday: Set-Up Team & Final Details Today our set-up team (including us!) will be arriving at the Hilton! Pray for safety as we set-up all our equipment. Pray that we would remember all the many details the event requires. Pray that students would not cancel last minute, but come despite what else might be calling for their attention.
Friday: Students Arrive! Pray for safety as all 500+ students arrive today! Pray for the students to be fully focused on the teaching and the activities of the conference. Pray for students to feel comfortable at such a large event. Pray for the Lord to remove any anxieties students may have. Pray for wisdom for all our staff as they extensively pour into the students this weekend.
Saturday: Missions & Energy This afternoon we are hosting a missions fair with 13 different agencies! Pray for God to use this event to send out laborers into his harvest field (Matthew 9:37-38) Pray for 25 students to serve in missions through these agencies in the coming year. Pray for everyone in attendance at the conference (students and staff), that their energy would be sustained throughout the rest of the weekend.
Sunday: Lasting Impact Pray that students would continue to meditate on the teaching from the weekend. Pray for follow-up conversations our staff will have with students in the coming weeks. Pray that the truths they heard would produce fruit in their hearts and lives. Pray that God matures these students into disciples of Christ - not just church-goers, not just Christians in name, but deep followers of Jesus, radically obedient, filled with the Spirit, driven by affection for God.
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Watch this video from our conference director, Clint Watkins, share about our theme for this year's event - Transforming Grace. |
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Prayers & Praises Praise God for the continued growth we are seeing on the college campus. Pray that the many students who indicated they were interested, would continue to be prompted by the Spirit to engage with the Bible and come to know Christ fully.
Praise God for Men's Conference! Pray the men in attendance would -be Resolved to be godly men pursuing holiness.
Pray for Fall Conference every day this week!
Praise God for our second son, Asa! Pray for his continued growth. Pray for us as we prepare to be parents of two.
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Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are constantly in awe of God's work on the college campus and delight to share it with you. If there are any ways that we can pray for you, please let us know!
In Christ, TJ & Kate Renninger |
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It's a BOY - again! Meet our second son, Asa John Renninger!
Asa John means "God is a gracious healer". We are in awe of how He has allowed us to have another child so quickly when we thought there was likely another long road ahead of us. How kind and marvelous God is! |
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May our second son be one who walks in the ways of the Lord despite what may be around him, just as King Asa (1 Kings 15), and may he be full of gentleness and grace like Kate's dad was. |
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We've also been enjoying lots of fun things as a family as summer ended and fall began!
Asher amazes us with his eagerness for adventure (like rock climbing with dad), and intelligence (like stacking cans all by himself while unloading groceries)!
We've enjoyed time with family on vacations and adventures to Lake Tobias, a local wildlife preserve.
We also supported our local Pregnancy Resource Clinic at their annual 5K race. Kate ran it while 20 weeks pregnant and came in 4th in her age group - though it's definitely not a competitive race! TJ and Asher did the 10 mile bike ride, too - one of Asher's favorite things! |
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Contact Us: TJ & Kate Renninger 548 Easterly Parkway State College, PA 16801 717.673.2359 | 610.401.7441 |
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